Isle of Sheppey (Heaven)
No work this week, so what to do?
In the morning and early afternoon I kicked around Chatham Docks, and then flipped a metaphorical coin on the latter part of the day.
Should I try to watch birds on the Isle of Sheppey, or simply go back another time and make a full day of it?
The lure of Autumn migrants won, and I was given one hour to wander around Elmley a family run farm, wedding venue, and wildlife reserve.
The chap on the gate said it might not be worth the entrance price as “there’s not much about, because of the wind”.
Just as he said that 2 Marsh Harriers floated across the track less than a hundred yards away. I paid up and made my way towards a mini adventure.
What a good move. The car park is several miles distant, but birders are allowed to view and photograph the wildlife from the confines of their steel boxes.
Nobody was in a hurry, and with good reason. Within moments I was watching Catlle Egret intermingled with Little Egret not more than 50 feet away.
Further along I spotted my first Whinchat in decades, and then another. Gaudy Pheasants strutted around without fear, and then after 10 minutes I pulled up in the main car park.
Scores of Swallows intermingled with Sand Martins as I got out of the car, they frequently took a rest on random bits of farm equipment and were being “shot” by enthusiasts with long lens cameras.
Every so often some drab Wagtails flitted onto the cinders, and a few moments later my suspicions were confirmed.
I was looking at a mixture of adult and juvenile Yellow Wagtails. They seemed to follow me as I wandered flitting about in the stubbly grassland.
Two hare lazily crouched down gazing as I walked to the bird observation fence.
Wheatear made my day as I headed back, that hour in Elmley delivered an “off the scale” experience but there was still daylight, so what next?
I was guided towards the RSPB Raptor viewing platform on the Harty Ferry Road, and then on to “The Ferry House”. I nabbed the last available table, had my evening meal and then stole a further half an hour behind my scope watching Common Tern, Redshank, Lapwing, and Turnstone on the ancient tidal path.
This could be heaven!
But we are looking forward to the new heavens and new earth he has promised, a world filled with God’s righteousness.
2 Peter 3:13
Think about it.
How would your ideal heaven look?
For me it’s a place without materialism, corporations or greed. You don’t need a fancy watch or good standing to get in, just a love of the Prince of Peace!
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